What are the Perito Moreno Walkways?
The Walkways are a system of elevated wooden paths and viewpoints built in front of the southern face of the Perito Moreno Glacier, inside Los Glaciares National Park. From these walkways you look directly at the glacier's ice wall — which stands between 60 and 80 metres above lake level — from different angles and distances.
This is not a guided excursion — it is a free, self-guided walk along marked paths. You do not set foot on the ice. No special equipment is needed. It is simply a walk along the wooden paths while the glacier looms just metres away, calving and creaking.
For many travellers, the Walkways are enough to leave them speechless. Perito Moreno does not need you to be on top of it to impress you — seeing it from the walkways is already one of the most powerful experiences Argentina has to offer.
In 25 years of coordinating glacier visits, we have found that guests who do only the Walkways come back just as awestruck as those who do the Minitrekking. The difference is proximity and the thrill of standing on the ice. If budget or fitness rules out the trekking, the Walkways are not "the second-best option" — they are a complete experience in their own right.
The 3 Walkway levels: what you see from each one
The Walkway system has 3 interconnected levels, each offering a different perspective of the glacier. The full circuit runs from top to bottom — you can walk it in either direction, but descending is more comfortable.
From here you see the glacier in its entirety — the complete southern face with Lago Argentino in the background. This is the best spot to grasp the scale of Perito Moreno. Ideal for wide-angle shots and for visitors with reduced mobility.
The most recommended level for photography. The middle walkway runs parallel to the glacier's face and offers views of the seracs, crevasses, and the blue ice wall. Morning light illuminates the ice head-on from this angle.
The most spectacular level but also the most physically demanding. From the lower level you are almost at the water's surface — calving blocks crash just metres away and the noise is deafening. The most sought-after spot for calving videos.
The best light for photographing the glacier from the Walkways is between 10:00 and 13:00, when the sun is to the north and the blue ice is lit head-on. The middle level gives the ideal angle: enough distance to take in the seracs, yet close enough to capture the blue of the ice. Use portrait mode to blur the lake in the background.
Entry prices 2026
The Walkways have no fee of their own — access is included in the Los Glaciares National Park entry ticket, which you pay at the park gate on arrival.
⚠️ National Park prices are updated frequently. The figures shown are from July 2026 (the foreigner rate has applied since June 2026) — confirm the exact price on the official Argentine National Parks Administration (APN) website before your visit.
🎫 Buy your ticket online in advance. Since 2026, the recommended way to buy entry to Los Glaciares National Park is online at ventaweb.apn.gob.ar (credit or debit card, up to one month ahead). The ticket is validated at the entrance with your ID or passport. In the South Zone (Perito Moreno) you can also pay at the gate with cash or card, but buying online saves you the queues in high season.
Visiting hours
| Season | Admission | Stay until | Best time to visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (Sep 1 – Apr 30) | 08:00 – 18:00 | 20:00 | 08:00–10:00 or 17:00–19:00 |
| Winter (May 1 – Aug 31) | 09:00 – 16:00 | 18:00 | 10:00–13:00 |
Peak hours are from 12:00 to 15:00 — tour groups arrive en masse from El Calafate and the walkways fill up. If you can arrive before 10:00 or after 16:00, you will enjoy the views with far fewer people around.
How to get to the Walkways
The Walkways are about 80 km from El Calafate (1h30 by car) along Provincial Route 11. There is no direct public transport — your options are:
- With a tour (transfer included) — the most comfortable option. You leave from your hotel; the transfer takes you there and back. If you also do the Minitrekking, the transfer is included in that price.
- Rental car — free parking is available inside the park. The road is paved all the way to the glacier entrance.
- Tourist bus — Caltur and El Pingüino depart from the El Calafate bus terminal. Cost: approx. $15,000–$20,000 ARS return.
- Taxi (remís) — $60,000–$80,000 ARS return; the driver waits for you at the park.
Before booking the bus or a taxi, do the maths: a return taxi costs about the same as — or more than — the Walkways excursion with door-to-door transfer, which also picks you up at your hotel, gives you coordinated time at the viewpoints and frees you from bus timetables. For two or more people, the excursion almost always works out better.
How much time to allow for the Walkways
The full circuit across all 3 levels takes between 1h30 and 2h30 at a relaxed pace. If you walk quickly and take few photos, you can do it in 1 hour. But most visitors stay longer than planned — the glacier is hypnotic and calving events keep you glued to each viewpoint.
We recommend allowing at least 2 hours on the walkways so you are not rushed. If you combine them with the Minitrekking on the same day, total time in the park is 5 to 6 hours.
What to bring to the Walkways
Walkways vs Minitrekking: which to choose?
This is the most common dilemma. The answer depends on your budget, fitness level, and the type of experience you are after:
| Aspect | Walkways only | Walkways + Minitrekking |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost | $25,000–$50,000 ARS (entry) | ~$335,000–$370,000 ARS |
| Time in the park | 2–3 hours | 6–8 hours |
| Fitness level | Any | Moderate (ages 8–65) |
| Walk on the ice | No | Yes (1h15) |
| Prior booking | Not required | Yes (recommended) |
| Best for | Families, tight budgets, older visitors | Those who want the full experience |
💡 Tip: The vast majority of tours that include the Minitrekking also allow time at the Walkways before heading onto the ice. In other words, if you book the Minitrekking with transfer, the Walkways are already included in your day's itinerary.
Ice calving: how to watch it
"Calving" is the moment a block of ice breaks off from the glacier wall and crashes into the lake. It is one of the most awe-inspiring natural spectacles in the world — ice falls from 60 metres high and generates waves up to 2 metres tall. If you're curious why the Perito Moreno stays in balance (and every so often stages its famous rupture), we cover it in the history of the Perito Moreno Glacier.
At Perito Moreno, calving events occur several times per hour during the melt season (November–March). In winter they are less frequent but still happen. The trick is:
- Position yourself at the lower level — the view and the sound are unmatched from there
- Listen for the noise — before a break you hear a deep crack that gives you 2–3 seconds of warning
- Have your camera ready — the event lasts just 3–5 seconds; if you scramble to find your camera, you will miss it
- Be patient — you might wait 10 minutes or 2 hours for the next spectacular calving
How to combine the Walkways with other excursions
The Walkways pair perfectly with other activities on the same day or on consecutive days:
- Walkways + Minitrekking (same day): The most popular combination. First the Walkways (2h), then the Minitrekking (1h15 on the ice). A full day of 9–10 hours from El Calafate.
- Walkways only (half day): Depart at 8:00, back by 14:00. Your afternoon in El Calafate is free for shopping or rest.
- Sunset Walkways: In summer, with up to 20 hours of daylight, you can head to the glacier at 17:00 and watch the ice glow in the golden afternoon light. A different experience with fewer crowds.
Final tips to make the most of the Walkways
In 25 years we've seen it all, and there are things we always recommend: families with kids should start at the upper level (panoramic and safe) and walk down slowly; older visitors or tired knees should stay on the upper and middle levels, which already have the best views without the lower level's stairs; photographers should head straight to the middle level mid-morning. And the most common mistake we see: arriving at 13:00, with the sun in your face and the walkways packed with tour groups. Leave early and it completely changes your visit.
- Arrive early. Between 8:00 and 10:00 the park is almost empty. The light is better and you can take photos without queuing.
- Don't stop at the upper level only. Many tourists see only the top level and leave. The middle and lower levels are the best ones.
- Bring food. The park restaurant has a great view but high prices. A simple packed lunch saves you time and money.
- Don't give up if it's overcast. The glacier under low cloud has an incredible mystical atmosphere and the blue of the ice looks even more intense.
- Turn down the volume. The silence of the glacier is part of the experience. The creaks and thunderclaps of the ice are lost if there is noise around you.
Where to stay in El Calafate: Apart Mundo Austral
Brand-new apartments in the heart of El Calafate. Full kitchen, WiFi, Smart TV + Netflix, central heating, and free private parking. Minimum 3 nights. From $50,000 ARS/night (up to 2 people).
When you stay with Mundo Austral you can book your excursions directly through the agency — no middlemen, at the best price.
View Apartment and availability → 📱 Ask via WhatsApp
Packages and Combos in El Calafate
If you want to make the most of every day and save money, Mundo Austral has packages that combine airport transfers with excursions. Buying a combo works out cheaper than booking each item separately.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the Perito Moreno Glacier Walkways.
Want to add the Minitrekking to your visit?
With Mundo Austral we coordinate the full day: hotel transfer, time at the Walkways, and Minitrekking on the glacier. All in one, hassle-free.
